Cost of Living Articles
Compare cities by real purchasing power, not just salary. Understand how housing, taxes, and expenses differ across America. Data updated for 2025.
Latest Articles
Cost of Living Comparison: Top 50 US Cities in 2025
Comprehensive cost of living analysis for major US cities. Compare housing, taxes, utilities, groceries, and transportation costs to make informed relocation decisions.
Moving to Texas in 2025: Complete Cost of Living & Tax Guide
Everything you need to know about moving to Texas. Compare property taxes, sales tax, housing costs, and calculate salary adjustments from high-tax states.
Best Cities for Remote Workers in 2025: Low Cost, High Quality of Life
Discover the best cities for remote workers balancing affordable cost of living, high-speed internet, co-working spaces, and quality of life.
About Cost of Living
Where you live dramatically impacts your financial well-being. Our cost of living guides help you compare cities, understand regional differences, and make informed decisions about relocation. Whether you're considering a move for a job opportunity, seeking a lower cost area for remote work, or curious how your current city stacks up, these articles provide data-driven comparisons covering housing, taxes, groceries, transportation, and overall purchasing power across major US cities and states.
What You'll Learn
- 1How to compare cost of living between cities: beyond just housing prices
- 2Highest and lowest cost cities in America: where your dollar goes furthest
- 3State tax implications: income tax, sales tax, property tax differences
- 4Remote work location strategy: maximizing salary while minimizing expenses
- 5Relocation cost analysis: breaking even on higher salary vs lower expenses
- 6Quality of life factors: balancing cost with amenities, weather, and opportunities
Related Calculators
Put your knowledge into practice with these free tools:
Quick Tips
- Don't just compare averages—drill into housing costs specifically, as this is where cities differ most dramatically
- Remote workers: consider 'geo-arbitrage' by earning big-city salaries while living in lower-cost areas
- Visit before you move—cost of living data doesn't capture traffic, weather, culture, or quality of life
- Research the specific neighborhood, not just the city—costs vary significantly within metro areas
- Factor in lifestyle changes: you might drive more (or less), need different wardrobes, or have different entertainment options
- Consider the trajectory: fast-growing cities may become expensive quickly (Austin's cost has risen dramatically since 2020)
Frequently Asked Questions
How is cost of living calculated?
Cost of living indices compare the price of a standard basket of goods and services across locations. Major factors include: housing (typically 30-40% of the index weight), groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and miscellaneous goods. A score of 100 represents the national average—cities above 100 are more expensive, below 100 are cheaper. Our calculator uses data from BLS, Census, and regional housing indices.
What salary do I need to maintain my lifestyle in a new city?
Calculate equivalent salary by multiplying your current salary by the ratio of cost indices. If moving from a city with index 90 to index 120, you need 33% more salary ($100K × 120/90 = $133K) to maintain the same standard of living. However, focus on specific categories that matter to you—housing varies more than groceries between cities.
Which US cities have the lowest cost of living?
Cities in the Midwest and South typically offer the lowest costs: Wichita KS, Memphis TN, Oklahoma City OK, Tulsa OK, Fort Wayne IN, and smaller Texas cities like Lubbock and Amarillo. However, job markets may be smaller. The sweet spot is often mid-sized cities with growing economies: Austin (though rising), Raleigh, Nashville, and Phoenix offer good value with strong job markets.
Is it worth moving to a no-income-tax state?
It depends on your income level and the state's other taxes. For a $100K earner, moving from California (13.3% top rate) to Texas (0%) could save $8,000-10,000 annually in state income tax. However, Texas has higher property taxes and sales taxes. Factor in cost of living too—a tax-free state with expensive housing may not save money overall. Run the numbers for your specific situation.
How much more expensive is New York or San Francisco?
Manhattan is roughly 130-150% above national average (meaning $230-250K feels like $100K elsewhere). San Francisco is similar at 120-140% above average. The Bay Area and NYC metro areas remain the most expensive in the US, driven primarily by housing. Even with higher salaries, most people have less purchasing power in these cities unless earning well into six figures.